Iconic Houghton leaves women's football in better place

Steph Houghton has been a player for Sunderland, Leeds, Arsenal, and Manchester City.

One particular instance during Steph Houghton's incredible career stands out as an example of her character.

During the 2019 Women's World Cup semi-finals, when England was defeated by the USA team and Houghton's penalty shot in the 84th minute was blocked, she took hold of her teammates' hands to help her stand up after the game. She kept her tears at bay and proceeded to talk to the media.

"I feel like I've disappointed the team. It's a crushing and devastating feeling. We were just on the edge of success, but I'm still filled with admiration for every member because we put in our all," she expressed.

A genuine leader, who was among the greatest in England, demonstrated her willingness to take on accountability in front of the public.

One of the toughest times in her magnificent 30-year career occurred, and still she responded with the same graciousness, expertise, and sincerity that she displayed while experiencing triumph.

Ellen White, who holds the record for most goals scored by a Lioness, expressed her gratitude for having had the opportunity to play alongside Houghton, stating that she felt incredibly fortunate.

Hailing from the north-east, which was a center for talented female football players during the 2000s era, Houghton managed to lead her country for a total of eight years and has achieved 121 international appearances.

She participated in two Olympic Games as a representative of Great Britain and was among the first women athletes to be awarded a central contract by the Football Association. During her time, she was recognized as a prominent figurehead for women's football across England.

On Wednesday, Baroness Sue Campbell, who serves as the director of women's football for the FA, stated that there will be many young girls who have witnessed Steph Houghton perform with impressive skill, unwavering commitment, and admirable ethics. As a result, they will have been inspired to pursue a career similar to Houghton's. The talented footballer, who will retire at the conclusion of the current season, is clearly a role model for many young girls who aspire to play the sport.

In photographs where England's male stars took center stage, it was Houghton's face that stood out. She was a regular subject of coverage on the sports pages of newspapers, thanks to her noteworthy accomplishments. Houghton's success also played a major role in increasing support for the women's soccer industry.

The lady made history by becoming the foremost woman player to feature on the cover page of Shoot magazine. She was honored with an MBE accolade by the Queen and granted the Freedom of the City in Sunderland.

She was at the forefront of English women's football during a crucial time of development, navigating through heightened inspection, hopes, and media coverage. She was responsible for steering the up-and-coming generation towards success.

According to BBC Radio 5 Live, former Scottish winger Pat Nevin has remarked that women's sports have considerably evolved during her participation, and she has been a pioneer in this transformation.

'With Her On Our Team, Nothing's Impossible'

On Wednesday, Houghton expressed her desire to improve the game before she retires.

There can be no question that she has accomplished that task.

At the 2012 Olympic Games, when Houghton scored a goal against Brazil in front of a huge crowd of 70,584 people at Wembley Stadium, it seemed like a significant moment for women's soccer.

Ever since that time, she has been advocating for high-quality standards and at the same time enhancing her skills to keep up with the new set of entirely professional sportspeople.

Houghton has achieved success with Manchester City, winning eight significant prizes since 2014. Additionally, there is a possibility that she may secure another WSL championship this season.

According to the head of the team, Gareth Taylor, Houghton showed great commitment to the squad and was willing to put her needs aside for the benefit of the team. Even when hurt, she made an effort to attend games with the aid of crutches and gave inspirational speeches on the field. Her colleague from the English team, Alex Greenwood, praised her for leading by example during training sessions.

Gilly Flaherty, a former England defender who played alongside Houghton for Arsenal, said in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live that Houghton is always ready to go to battle with her team.

When the games became challenging, you used to glance at her armband and believe that her presence would help us conquer any obstacle. I believe that she made significant contributions to women's football and our country.

'Coach Or Manager Potential In Her'

Houghton has also faced challenges in her personal life.

In 2018, Stephen Darby, who was once a defender for Liverpool and Bradford City, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). His wife, Houghton, was still playing for Manchester City and holding the position of England captain when she decided to start raising awareness for this disease.

Just a few days prior to declaring her retirement, Houghton played a significant part in a march that covered a total distance of 178 miles, starting from Bradford and ending in Liverpool. The march aimed to raise a sum of £130,000.

Making sure people know about The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation will still be important, but Houghton will have many opportunities to pursue a career in soccer.

In January, Houghton stated to BBC Sport that she aimed to contribute to the sport in her locality. In the past few years, she has happily participated in providing expert opinion for the media.

According to White, Houghton has already taken on a mentorship role for a number of her younger City teammates, indicating that she has the potential for an outstanding coaching career.

According to White's statements on City's club website, the individual mentioned is highly skilled in both technical and tactical aspects, to the extent of being capable of serving as a coach or manager in the future. White is optimistic about the individual's potential, stating that there is a bright future ahead filled with great opportunities.

On Wednesday, Emma Hayes, the manager of Chelsea, supported this statement by saying that although she wouldn't impose coaching on anyone, she believes that if the person is interested in it, they could prove to be a valuable addition to a team.

I believe that there are many significant obstacles ahead for her in life. I have great admiration and respect for her admirable conduct. I hope that she achieves success and good fortune in all her future endeavors.